the greatest rock'n'roll site in the world: His Bobness 1997- ??? - The Second Golden Age - The Word becomes Art

(Follows on from Part 1 Below)

Bob Dylan talking to the world is a revelation. His songs are the most analysed and debated in the history of rock music but Dylan has to a large extent remained an enigma. A notoriously tough interview (he's spent large chunks of his career refusing them). Its little wonder he's suspicious of interviews, his experience with them in the early 60s was remarkable. The footage of press conferences in 'No Direction Home' and elsewhere in the sixties shows journalist with a remarkable ignorance of the man and his music. Bob plays with their ignorance with amusing candour but you feel his frustration. He's constantly asked to explain his work, his role in the 60s protest movement and Bob's favourite his position as the 'voice of a generation'. Even the 'hip' publications of the time often didn't get what was needed to engage Dylan in intelligent dialogue.
At the height of his fame he disappeared, moving to the country (Woodstock, NY) to raise his young family.
For someone who plays 100 shows a year and is so often seen he is rarely heard. On stage banter is for the most part non existent at a Dylan live show. Even with today's 'culture of fame' mentality Dylan manages to remain free from the media focus.

Chronicles Vol.1 is the first in a promised 3 part series of Dylan's autobiographies. It's without peer the most remarkable autobiography of a cultural identity I have read. To quote once again from Robert Forster's 'Monthly' article of October last year, "Chronicles: Volume One (2004), that astonished with its candour and wild poetic force. Chronicles ranks as one of Dylan’s greatest triumphs, as revolutionary and evocative as his best album, the almighty Blood on the Tracks." That's a huge call by Robert and not one I think I could match but I see why he makes the claim. I think more then anything this book told me how little I knew of Dylan. Preconceptions developed over 20 years of being a fan were shattered. Its an autobiography so of course its a personable book but it takes it further then that. I've tried and failed to explain what I mean by this with friends so forgive my clumsiness...when I read Chronicles I did it in the most part in one sitting (over a weekend anyway) I found at times as if I was having a one on one conversation with Bob. This was especially the case in the main section of the book dedicated to his early days in New York, feeling his way through the Greenwich Village folk scene. I'd be sitting on my couch, just me and Bob, Bob telling me about NYC 1961. The conversation chugged at furious pace because 'Chronicles' is eminently readable. Often I'd have to stop Bob because I had just realised the poetic scope of what I had just read. So caught up in the tale and the flow the beauty of the prose, the subtle working of a metaphor, exquisite detailing of even the mundane slipped me by. I'd go back and re read the paragraph or page and be gob smacked at its beauty. Its not a classical style, it's more a beatnik of the street dialogue a tone very much in harmony with the subject. If it can be compared to anything it would Kerouac circa 'On the Road' He manages to weave the style into the narrative like he does with with his lyrics and music. To further the analogy with his music, Dylan's best songs are enjoyed equally for their melody as they are their lyrics. You can tap your feet to his music oblivious to the lyrics, with the book you can read it captivated by the tale and miss the beauty in the stories delivery.

Chronicles Vol1 isn't a 'I was born Robert Zimmermen in May 1941' type of biography, those looking for specific answers to certain Dylan related questions probably won't find them. Its less a biography more a series of vignettes. It concentrates on three distinct episodes rather than delivering a linear narrative. Through out the book he describes hundreds of past acquaintances and experiences with stunning detail. The first (and last) and by far the largest section deals with a young Dylan arriving in NYC.

Dylan's ability to ground himself within a larger historical and cultural context throughout the book is one of the standout features. It works chiefly as a result of Dylan's modesty. Many of the books highlights had nothing to do with Dylan more the surroundings and personalities he associate with. He was a fan, his recounting tales of meeting some of the leading lights of the 'Village' scene were honest and you felt his excitement echo through the pages. It was what made the work so (the word I keep using) personable. Incredibly Dylan was like me at that age. Fueled with the ambition and guile, a time when ignorance is a tool not a defect, an attitude that is the realm of the young. It's not often you are given the opportunity to acknowledge a common bond of such significance with someone you revere so highly.
Its not that he didn't have ego, he did. He also had talent and determination but it was tempered by respect for those had come before.

We are given a look at life on the Woodstock farm during his late 60s sabatical. Its a look at a young husband and father. It's about life after the near fatal motorbike accident but typical to the book the bike accident is given one line. Details of that nature are not what this autobiography are about.

The book moves to 1989 and to the recording of 'Oh Mercy' with Daniel Lanois. Its a fascinating insight into Dylan's recording process. I'm sure Dylantologist would of preferred to know of the 'Highway 61' or 'Blood on the Tracks' session but its the unexpected that makes this biography work. What makes 'Oh Mercy' so interesting is Dylan acknowledges his career is on the wane and wonders whether this maybe the last time he enters a studio. Its another example of the uncompromising honesty the book delivers.

Though on release the book was generally praised (not to mention awarded) he did manage to upset some critics with the books style. I read these reviews and could only think of the 60s interviewers asking him inane questions like what's 'blowin in the wind' really about or 'what's it like to be the spokesmen of a generation'. Though no one could of picked that Dylan's autobiographical triliogy would start like this in retrospect its pure Dylan and I for one could ask for no more.
I find myself wondering what to expect from Vol 2 & 3...the answer of course is no idea.

Dylan's autobiography has been rumoured for years but that he was going to do a radio show was a complete surprise and 'Theme Time Radio Hour with your host Bob Dylan' is no ordinary radio show. As the title suggest 'Theme Time Radio Hour' is a weekly radio show centred around a specific theme. It was commissioned by the XM Satellite network in the US. The first season lasted an amazing 50 weeks and Dylan has just signed for a further two years. When it began Bob stated his aim with the show was to take the listener back to when he was a boy listening to the radio. A time predating the mass acceptance of television when the radio stations broadcast 'shows'. When listening to the show you can imagine a young Dylan 50+ years earlier huddled around his radio soaking in the sounds of Hank Williams, Elvis, Robert Johnson, Buddy Holly & Woodie Guthrie to name a few.

The show begins each week with with a Dylan penned monologue read by sultry female voice (Ellen Barkin as it turns out is the voices owner). It's usually loosely tied to the shows theme, but it always announces that for the next hour your radio is going to sound very different. Bob's voice is a broken glass and gravel rasp rather then a slick radio sound. It adds to the experience, offering a level of authenticity. Dylan chooses the music to play around the specific theme from his own collection. Its an eclectic mix. As you would expect there is lot of early folk, blue grass country and blues and a heavy 60s influence. However Bob shows that he's kept in touch musically and often throws a contemporary song into the mix.
Hearing Bob's choice of song is fascinating but the most compelling moments of the show are the minutes in between songs. It's the 'Word' and its brilliant. Its funny, informative and most important, revelatory. It's hard to explain its style as there's nothing out there to compare it with. Perhaps its easier just to share some quotes. (these are transcribed not copied so forgive me if not 100% accurate).

From the Devil episode : "The man who they say knew a little bit about the prince of darkness. According to legend Robert Johnson made a deal with the devil at the crossroads of highway 61 and highway 49 in Clarksdale Mississippi, he traded his soul, that's what they say, this is his song me and the devil blues"

From the Weather episode - "West coast weather is the weather of catastrophe, and the Santa Ana winds are the winds of the apocalypse"

From The Train episode - (introducing the Monkee's 'Last Train to Clarksville' - I didn't know it was anti Vietnam song) - “I’ve always felt the first rule of writing a subversive song is not to tell anybody that it’s subversive.”

From the Friends & Neighbours episode - "A song from the swingin’ ’60s. I don’t mean the swingin’ ’60s like Carnaby Street; I mean the swingin’ ’60s like, we have a party, and the men put all their car keys in a hat, the wives pick out a car key, they put on a Trini Lopez record, and everybody just swings.
Now, I’ve never been to a party like that myself, but I hear those kind of things happen."

After re reading these quotes I see that they are poetic, funny and/or informative, BUT they really don't translate well, to really 'get it' you need to hear them presented by Dylan's 'riding the rail carts' voice.

These shows really are wonderful, I implore you (even if you don't think its your thing) to download one and have a listen.
The amount of research that goes into each episode must be considerable. Coupled with all the other things Bob has going on its even the more remarkable. XM satellite radio network has provided him with equipment so that he can record his thoughts as they strike him at home, or on his frequent tours, so at least it doesn't require being in a studio weekly. The show is pre recorded.

For the first time in his illustrious career Dylan is allowing us to get to know him not just through his songs. A man who faced his mortality a decade ago and realised there was so much more that he wanted to achieve. Perhaps he's thinking of his legacy. Really the motivation matters little, the result has been as surprising as it has been rewarding to Dylantologist the world over.
Bob Dylan's 66 now, he's recorded more than 600 songs, released 44 albums, selling more then more than 57 million copies and played 2000 + shows. Remarkable. I changed the post title in part two of this post to read 1997 - ??? because this phase that Bobs in is showing little sign of slowing, long may it continue!!

Gotta love Bob...I do.

A list of Theme Time Radio Show Subjects

2.1 Episode 1: Weather
2.2 Episode 2: Mother
2.3 Episode 3: Drinking
2.4 Episode 4: Baseball
2.5 Episode 5: Coffee
2.6 Episode 6: Jail
2.7 Episode 7: Father
2.8 Episode 8: Wedding
2.9 Episode 9: Divorce
2.10 Episode 10: Summer
2.11 Episode 11: Flowers
2.12 Episode 12: Cars
2.13 Episode 13: Rich Man, Poor Man
2.14 Episode 14: The Devil
2.15 Episode 15: Eyes
2.16 Episode 16: Dogs
2.17 Episode 17: Friends & Neighbors
2.18 Episode 18: Radio
2.19 Episode 19: Bible
2.20 Episode 20: Musical Map
2.21 Episode 21: School
2.22 Episode 22: Telephone
2.23 Episode 23: Water
2.24 Episode 24: Time
2.25 Episode 25: Guns
2.26 Episode 26: Halloween
2.27 Episode 27: Dance
2.28 Episode 28: Sleep
2.29 Episode 29: Food
2.30 Episode 30: Thanksgiving Leftovers
2.31 Episode 31: Tennessee
2.32 Episode 32: Moon
2.33 Episode 33: Countdown
2.34 Episode 34: Christmas/New Year's 2 Hour Special
3 2007
3.1 Episode 35: Women's Names
3.2 Episode 36: Hair
3.3 Episode 37: Musical Instruments
3.4 Episode 38: Luck
3.5 Episode 39: Tears
3.6 Episode 40: Laughter
3.7 Episode 41: Heart
3.8 Episode 42: Shoes
3.9 Episode 43: Colors
3.10 Episode 44: Texas
3.11 Episode 45: Trains
3.12 Episode 46: More Trains
3.13 Episode 47: Fools
3.14 Episode 48: New York
3.15 Episode 49: Death and Taxes
3.16 Episode 50: Spring Cleaning, 2 Hour Season One Finale

Below to download - All 50 episodes of 'Theme Time Radio Hour with your host Bob Dylan'. There are 50 individual downloads. I guarantee if you download and listen to one you won't stop there (thanks to patrickcrosley.com for hosting.)

- 'Chronicles Vol1' as read by Sean Penn - I've never been a fan of the recorded novel but Sean Penn's rendition of 'Chronicles' is sensational. Each of the 6 sections is 40meg. Well worth the download if you have read the book or not.

- Bob Dylan and George Harrison - 'Unreleased Columbia Studios Recordings' - One last bootleg. In May, 1970 George Harrison joined Dylan in a New York Studio. The results were never officially released. This is a copy of those sessions. Enjoy.

For your viewing pleasure - A few more Bob clips to enjoy. Remember there's over 80 Dylan clips on the The Greatest Rock'n'Roll Site in the World youtube channel

Downloads :
Theme Time Radio Hour with your host Bob Dylan - 50 x 65mg mp3s of each of the hour long broadcast - each available as individual episodes.

Chronicles Vol.1 as read by Sean Penn - Part 1
Chronicles Vol.1 as read by Sean Penn - Part 2
Chronicles Vol.1 as read by Sean Penn - Part 3
Chronicles Vol.1 as read by Sean Penn - Part 4
Chronicles Vol.1 as read by Sean Penn - Part 5
Chronicles Vol.1 as read by Sean Penn - Part 6

Bob Dylan and George Harrison - 'Unreleased Columbia Studios Recordings'

'Ballad Of A Thin Man' - 'Eat The Document' Outake - Live Copenhagen April 1966

'Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb' - My favourite Dylan Quote

'Positively 4th Street' - An unused promotional video for Bob Dylan - It was originally recorded during Highway 61 Revisited but was not included on the record.